MALAYSIA IS BECOMING MORE VISIBLE IN CZECH REPUBLIC - ENVOY

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is becoming more visible in the
Czech Republic in line with the upswing in the relations between both countries,
Malaysian Ambassador to Czech Republic Zainal Abidin Bakar said.

He said that at the moment there are 209 Malaysian students studying
medicine in three universities namely the Charles University in Prague and
Hradec Kralove University as well as Palacky University in Olomouc.

The are also about 50 Malaysians living in the country either working or
following their spouses, he said.

"Malaysia is becoming more visible in the Czech Republic as more and more
Malaysians are coming here," he told Bernama via email here Sunday.

Zainal, who handed over credentials to President Vaclav Klaus on March 18,
said he had gotten used to the situation in the central European country.

Located in the landlocked country in central Europe, the Czech Republic
borders with Poland, Germany and Slovakia and has 10.5 million population.

As of Jan 1, this year the Czech Republic holds the Presidency of the
Council of the European Union.

Saying that his priority would be to strengthen people-to-people relations,
particularly between Malaysian students and the local community, Zainal said the
Malaysia-Czech Association had also been formed and now has 40 Czechs as
members.

"I will be hosting a dinner on May 20 to introduce myself and strengthen
relations with them... my hope is for them to continue to be 'Friends of
Malaysia'," he said.

Apart from programmes organised by the embassy, the Malaysian Students
Association in Czech Republic (CzeMSA) also took the initiative to introduce
Malaysia to the locals.

On April 4, Malaysian students in Hradec Kralove University organised a
"Malaysian Night", showcasing the country's cultural diversity as well as
Malaysian cuisines.

Malaysian students in Olomouc had also organised similar event on April 18.
-- BERNAMA